Cymbeline · Character

Cloten

The queen's loutish son, a would-be suitor to Imogen who mistakes volume for authority and cruelty for wit.

major

First appearance: Scene I

As a major figure in Cymbeline, Cloten is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the queen's son who drew on Posthumus; Imogen scorns him.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

See Cloten in Scene I Book page

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Cloten struts through Cymbeline's court expecting to inherit both crown and princess, and his mother's scheming encourages him. He is the play's comic villain, so crude that even the mountain-dwelling princes measure…

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The fuller portrait of Cloten sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Cloten in Scene I

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Cloten sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Romantic
Family

Character groups

Protagonist
Main characters and family

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Posthumus reaches his emotional and psychological peak here by moving from vengeful rage to profound guilt and…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Pisanio
professional · negative
Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household… How this plays out →
Belarius
rivalry · negative
Imogen
romantic · negative
Posthumus Leonatus
rivalry · negative
Queen
family · ambivalent
Second Lord
professional · negative
Belarius
rivalry · negative
Pisanio
professional · negative
Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household… How this plays out →
Posthumus Leonatus
rivalry · negative
Second Lord
professional · negative
Imogen
romantic · negative
Queen
family · ambivalent

Pisanio
Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household under duress.
Belarius
Belarius and his adopted sons encounter Cloten in the forest, leading to a deadly confrontation where Cloten is killed.
Imogen
Cloten aggressively pursues Imogen as a suitor, but she despises him, leading to his obsessive and violent advances.
Posthumus Leonatus
Cloten resents Posthumus as Imogen's husband and seeks to kill him out of jealousy and wounded pride.
Queen
Cloten is the Queen's son, and she manipulates him to further her own ambitions for the throne.
Second Lord
The Second Lord is a courtier who serves Cloten but secretly mocks his arrogance and foolishness.
Belarius
Belarius and his adopted sons encounter Cloten in the forest, leading to a deadly confrontation where Cloten is killed.
Pisanio
Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household under duress.
Posthumus Leonatus
Cloten resents Posthumus as Imogen's husband and seeks to kill him out of jealousy and wounded pride.
Second Lord
The Second Lord is a courtier who serves Cloten but secretly mocks his arrogance and foolishness.
Imogen
Cloten aggressively pursues Imogen as a suitor, but she despises him, leading to his obsessive and violent advances.
Queen
Cloten is the Queen's son, and she manipulates him to further her own ambitions for the throne.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Cloten in Scene I

In the story

Cloten appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Mentioned as the queen's son who drew on Posthumus; Imogen scorns him.
Scene II
Boasts of a fight and expresses frustration that Imogen loves Posthumus instead of him.
Scene I
Boasts about his bowling victory, complains about being reprimanded for swearing, and expresses frustration that his rank protects him from fights. He decides to confront the Italian stranger.
Scene III
Cloten tries to win Imogen through music and bribery, but is rebuffed and humiliated, vowing revenge.
Scene I
Boastfully rejects tribute and taunts the Roman ambassador.
Scene IV
Referenced by Imogen as a 'harsh, noble, simple nothing' whose love-suit she fears.
Scene V
Vows revenge on Imogen and Posthumus, planning to kill Posthumus and rape Imogen while wearing Posthumus's clothes.
Scene I
Cloten enters near the cave, wearing Posthumus's clothes and plotting murder and rape.
Scene II
Arrives at the cave seeking the runaways, is killed by Guiderius, and his body is later found by Lucius.
Scene III
Mentioned as missing; Cymbeline notes his absence is keenly felt in the time of war.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Cloten unlock in the free preview.

See Cloten in Scene I